GHANA UNESCO Club
ABOUT US
Since the foundation of the first UNESCO club in Japan, in 1947, UNESCO Associations, Centres and Clubs are members of non-governmental organizations of great value to the Organization.
Members of the UNESCO Club movement in Africa and Ghana are all volunteers of all ages, nationalities and social classes. They share a commitment to UNESCO’s ideals and work to make them a reality in every nation with ideas and actions that contribute to the development of humanity.
- Our Commitment
What are UNESCO Clubs?
- Groups of people sharing UNESCO’s ideals and promoting peace through education, science, and culture
- Clubs’ members are all ages and come from all walks of life.
- Clubs undertake projects inspired by UNESCO base on sharing, solidarity, and exchange.
- Clubs help create national awareness for development rooted in cultural values unique to each country or group.
Historical Background
- Following the creation of UNESCO in 1945, a Clubs movement developed as a symbol of support for the new organization.
- The first UNESCO Club was formed in Sendai, Japan on July 19, 1947
- In November 1949, then Director-General of UNESCO, Jaime Torres-Bodet, launched an international appeal for the creation of UNESCO Clubs in schools and universities.
- The movement grew and today there are over 3,700 UNESCO associations, centres, and clubs in more than 100 countries.
Mission
Promote four main categories of UNESCO Clubs in Africa and Ghana:
Clubs established in schools (whose members are students and teaching staff of educational institutions).
Clubs to operate in universities and higher education institutions.
Clubs not intended exclusively for schoolchildren or university students: they have a recognized legal status and among their members there are outstanding personalities from cultural circles or the public sector of the community.
- National Commissions are the link between UNESCO and individual countries, providing information for their governments and citizens.
- Each National Commission for UNESCO is responsible for the Clubs in its member state.
- UNESCO respects the freedom of the Clubs thus there is no official link between the two.
- UNESCO does provide intellectual, material, or financial help for the Clubs as appropriate.
- Occasionally, UNESCO may suggest study themes or activities for the Clubs to pursue.
- The WFUCCA was founded in July 1981, its General Secretariat is located in Paris, France
- WFUCCA is an NGO that has official relations with UNESCO. A World Congress of WFUCCA is held every four years to evaluate, coordinate and integrate the Federation’s programmes.
- The WFUCCA brings together inter regional Club activities and encourages active cooperation among National Federations
- In Africa, UNESCO Clubs are active in Kenya, Togo, Uganda, Gabon, Benin and Cote d’Ivoire.
- GFUCCA monitors all the individual clubs recognised by the national commission; Coordinates and facilitates and facilitates the registration process of UNESCO Clubs; Recognize exceptional contributions of individuals and clubs/organizations in fostering the ideals of UNESCO or advancement of UNESCO clubs’ movement.
- In 1961, Ghana established its first UNESCO Clubs
- It was one of the first English-speaking African country to establish UNESCO Clubs
- UNESCO clubs have three goals: training, public outreach, and action.
- Clubs aim to function in a climate of trust and tolerance without discrimination based on sex, nationality, race, religion, social background, or political opinion.
- Clubs work to preserve cultural values and demonstrate the contribution of these values in local and global contexts.
UNESCO Clubs host a wide variety of activities depending on member’s interests. Activities must be nonprofit and consistent with the ideals of UNESCO. Some examples are listed below:
- Celebration of: International Days, International Years
- Participation in: Literary Campaigns, Cultural Outings, Competitions in the Arts, Sports, and Musical Events
- Studies of: Racism and Discrimination, International Relations, Youth and Gender
and Environment and Nature
- Contact the Ghana Commission for UNESCO
- Ask out about existing clubs in your area and how you can join their activities.
- If there is no UNESCO Club in your region, the Ghana Commission for UNESCO can provide you with the required information to set one up.
Mr. Apollonius Osei-Akoto Asare —- Email: apollonius.asare@unescoghana.gov.gh
Mr. Kofi Takyi Kwakye —- Email: kofi.kwakye@unescoghana.gov.gh
